NETGEAR 10-Port Multi-Gigabit = $209

[13Gigatons]

ETHERNET PORT CONFIGURATION:
4 1G Gigabit ports
2 1G/2.5G ports
2 1G/2.5G/5G ports
1 10G port
FLEXIBILITY FROM UPLINK PORTS: 1 x 10G SFP+ port
ADVANCED CONFIGURATION & CONTROL: Management software with easy-to-use GUI interface offers refined control for secure setup, access, and SNMP (NMS 300) management.
VERSATILE MOUNTING OPTIONS: Supports desktop or rackmount placement, and includes all the necessary mounting hardware in the box
WHISPER-QUIET DESIGN: Reduces fan noise to protect your home office or business environment.
PROSAFE LIFETIME PROTECTION: Covered by an industry-best Lifetime Limited Hardware Warranty, Next Business Day Replacement and 24/7 chat with a NETGEAR expert
ENERGY EFFICIENT: Designed to optimize power usage lowering its cost to operate. Most models are compliant with IEEE802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet mode.
BUILT TO LAST: Every NETGEAR Network switch is rigorously tested for reliability, quality, and performance.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075Q6NPM2/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=toprec04-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B075Q6NPM2&linkId=5144ef576d1baffbac59e3b130883131&th=1

At least it's an improvement for the 2x port models.

 

[SamirD]

I'm liking how the prices are dropping. I feel 2020 will be the year that 2.5G catches on and even more 10G installs get put into place as prices drop.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I'm liking how the prices are dropping. I feel 2020 will be the year that 2.5G catches on and even more 10G installs get put into place as prices drop.

Yeah, me too. Hopefully, more mobos will include 2.5GbE-T by default, seeing as how RealTek now makes cheap-as-chips controllers for it. If nothing else, if those 'CableMatters' USB3.x 2.5GbE-T RealTek-chipset dongle prices hold out or drop, then it's less than a $25 upgrade for existing systems.

Though, I don't know if USB external ethernet dongles are the most stable option, I think that a PCI-E card would be better.

I probably should have considered getting some switches such as in the OP, rather than the D-Link 8x 2.5GbE-T / 2x SFP+ switches that I got, but I got a really good deal on mine. (Under $150 ea., and they're managed.)

 

[SamirD]

I'm not sure if the mobo makers will move to 2.5G unless it's a zero cost upgrade or they can tout it as a 'feature', but it seems like a very easy update from the existing 1G chipset.

I think the usb dongles will be the way to go once they're stable and mass production brings prices down. $40 for 2.5x the bandwidth is a no-brainer if you're doing any transfers that hit the 1G limit.

I think pcie cards won't catch on as quickly due to the extra work to install them. If a dongle is literally plug and play it's the fastest upgrade path.

I think you got a solid deal on your switches so don't sweat it. There's going to be better and better deals as time goes on. I still have 2x 10Mbit switches that have 2x 100Mbit uplinks that cost $970/ea. The same thing today is like what, $30 and is faster? I don't regret the purchase because they still work!